OFFICIAL
MATURITY
RULES
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| 1. |
Course Directors: The course Directors will consist of respected members of the working stock dog community. The Directors will determine the trial course and the time limit before the Futurity. |
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| 2. |
The Course: Trial course may include a fetch to the pens, several obstacles in a pen worked in a specific order, with an exhaust into another pen. |
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| 3. |
Stock: If all stock miss an obstacle on the first pass, then they must be brought back and at least one head put through or around the obstacle in order to earn the right to go to the next obstacle. If any number of head goes through the obstacle and the handler misses some of the stock through that obstacle it is his, or her decision to attempt to gather the stock together again and pick up the missed stock or go to the next obstacle.
If any stock needs to be pulled because it does not match the herd or creates a special problem, it cannot be pulled from the draw until the go-round is over; however, stock may be pulled immediately if injured or in the event that continued use would affect its health. (Any decisions about stock will be handled by the course director.) |
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| 4. |
Handlers: Handler must be empty handed and on foot during competition and may not touch livestock at any time as this could cause a range of penalties from loosing points to disqualification. (If cattle run into handler while he, or she is attempting to move away, the touch rule does not apply.) Judgment to be made by point/time keeper. |
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| 5. |
Handlers Meeting: Before each elimination, there will be a handlers meeting. At this meeting, the Course Directors should explain course, (including order of obstacles, point values, time allowed, etc.) and answer any questions competitors may have. Handlers and officials of that class are the only ones allowed at that handlers meeting. |
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| 6. |
Conduct: Abusive conduct towards dogs, livestock, other contestants, LSCDF officials or spectators will not be allowed and will cause DISQUALIFICATION. |
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| 7. |
Abusive Behavior: Non-Controllable conduct by the dog toward any stock may be cause for DISQUALIFICATION. |
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| 8. |
The Walk Rule: Contestants are not to break out of a walk at any time during the run. Doing so may result in the Point / Time keeper denying the earning of any points from that point on. (the basketball traveling rule may be used as a guideline in judging this rule.) |
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| 9. |
Empty Handed: Handlers must be empty handed during their run. If any handler fails to comply with this rule point accumulation will stop at the point of infraction. |
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| 10. |
Touch Rule: If someone touches the stock during the run a range of penalties may be imposed from disqualification to loosing points from the point of the infraction. |
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| 11. |
Gates: Any gates that are closed at the beginning of a run should be left that way by exhibitor at end of run. Open gates should also be left as they were. |
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| 12. |
Collars: Only standard collars are allowed. Training, Weighted or Dummy collars are prohibited. |
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| 13. |
Placing and Points:
A) The same number of points will be required in each go-round.
B) Trial placing will be determined by points and time. Highest points, lowest total time will win. Time elapsed for crossing of initial line will be used for the second tie breaker.
C) Total point values decided on for each obstacle will be based on number of cattle put through the obstacle.
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY X NUMBER OF HEAD = TOTAL POINTS PER OBSTACLE.
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| 14. |
Run Order: Order of run will be determined by a draw. |
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| 15. |
Advancement: One go-round will be given to each contestant and the top 5 will advance to the finals. The winner of the Maturity will be determined by only the high score and low time of the FINALS go-round. |
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| 16. |
Official Video: All runs will be video taped. Only LSCDF tapes are official, these tapes will be used when necessary to settle protests. |
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| 17. |
Protest: During each go-round, and before a new go-round begins, an individual whose run may have been affected by the outcome of a decision of the official Time/Point Keeper may pay a $100 cash protest fee for a panel to review the tape of the run in question. Official LSCDF equipment will be used. If judgment is overturned the $100 cash fee will be refunded. There will be no protests in the Finals. The decision of the Point/Time Keeper is final. |
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| 18. |
Integrity Rule: It is a responsibility of the LSCDF National Cattle Dog Association to uphold the integrity of this organization. Using the name of the LSCDF and the National Cattle Dog Association, and the use of dollar amounts to promote kennels, stud dogs, breeding females or syndication of the before mentioned is permissible. When the LSCDF National Cattle Dog Association is compromised by individuals or groups of individuals who fail to honor promotions the Integrity Rule restricts these individuals from membership or participation in LSCDF National Cattle Dog sanctioned events. This rule comes with a grandfather clause to 1998. |
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| 19. |
Refunds: No refunds in Futurity or Maturity. If trial is cancelled, entry fees will be refunded minus expenses. |
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NOTE: Special needs
contestants wil be reviewed on an individual basis. |